O.K. guys i have been looking for tech stuff to learn about this, i could use some advice. So if any of you want to help me learn about this we can do so here, or via e-mail. This is what i want to do , please tell me the best way to go about it.This is on my 48 Chev , and it has a 88 Chev suspension.
I want to drop the front 2" and drop the rear 4".
Do i, 1) Change the spindles? 2)Change the coil springs? 3)Do i have to replace the upper/lower control arms? 4)Do i have to change control arms to run air bags?5) Can i just change the lower arm with air bags? 6) What about the coil spring if i don`t do air bags?I see kits that appear to weld into the stock control arms for air bags.
There appears to be many ways to do this. I thought you had to replace all of the componets to do the drop, Chassis Tech says no.So what is the best way?
The rear appears to be a simple flip of the axle, add the mounts for the air bags.
I want to know if you have to have an on board compressor, or can you just fill them through a valve?
Please advise me. If you know of some good educational site i would appreciate it. This migt be a good topic for the knowledge base.
Thanks in advance.
Slider in Wa.

I recommend using an on-board compressor, with no leaks the only time it runs is when you want to play with it, and you can adjust on-the-go for load or ride feel.
With a true air bag suspension you will want to lose the leaf springs in the rear, they will render the airbag suspension parts ineffective.
The easiest front suspension drop with the least side effects is spindle replacement.
The best way to do a front suspension upgrade is lose the factory parts, this assures all new parts and you can get any suspension type with only a few changes.
I have seen a lower control arm with a bolt in insert that allows either a coil spring, air-bag, or some other type of insert to just be bolted in.

Slider............ First we need to determine exactly which chassis you have. In 88 GM produced two different chassis for the 1-tons. The most common chassis is the crew cab chassis which was still the square fender body style like the 81-87 1/2 tons. The second chassis was used on the standard and extended cab 1-tons and it used the 88-98 1/2 ton body style. They are completely different chassis all together, so the lowering components for one will not work on the other. Let me know what you have and I can help you determine what is available and the best route to go.

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